Jeannie Seely To Be Grand Marshal At 38th Annual Donelson Hermitage Christmas Parade

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Jeannie Seely. Photo: Cyndi Hornsby

Jeannie Seely will serve as Grand Marshal of the 38th Annual Donelson Hermitage Christmas Parade presented by Gaylord Opryland’s “A Country Christmas” on Saturday, Dec 16.

Seely has been an integral part of the Donelson Hermitage community and participated in the parade for many years, as she and her husband Gene Ward joined their family on his restored 1935 Howe Fire Truck. The event takes place at 2 p.m. along Donelson Pike between Elm Hill Pike and Fifty Forward/Donelson Bowl.

“We regret that Brenda Lee is unable to attend the Christmas Parade this year, but when we were made aware that she would not be able to serve as Grand Marshal, there was no other person that we would rather reach out to than our very own Grand Ole Opry Legend and Donelson resident, Jeannie Seely! We are so grateful to her,” says Donelson Hermitage Chamber Executive Director, Terri Williams Nutter.

“Although I am as disappointed as everyone else that Brenda Lee has had to cancel her appearance in our Christmas Parade, I am truly honored to step in and serve as Grand Marshal. Those are big-size 2 1/2 shoes to fill! This has been an incredibly busy season for Little Miss Dynamite celebrating her 65th Anniversary of ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ and we wish her well,” says Seely. “Donelson is where I live, work, shop and play and I’m proud to participate in our community activities. See you at the Parade!!!”

Seely recently joined Flat River Band on a new tune for the holidays called “Christmas Time,” a festive original song available now for streaming and download here.

Luke Combs & Kaylee Bell Honored With CMA International Awards

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Pictured (L-R): CMA’s Milly Olykan, Luke Combs and CMA’s Sarah Trahern. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA

The Country Music Association honored superstar Luke Combs with the 2023 CMA International Artist Achievement Award, and country artist Kaylee Bell with the 2023 CMA Jeff Walker Global Artist Award.

Combs was surprised with the recognition backstage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena following his CMA Awards rehearsal by Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development.

The CMA International Artist Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a United States-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant creative growth, development and promotion of the country music industry outside of America during the eligibility period.

Combs has sold out and performed over 40 shows across three continents and 16 countries over the course of a year. Throughout his tour, the 2023 CMA Single of the Year winner celebrated the release of his new album, Gettin’ Old, the companion to his 2022 record, Growin’ Up. Both albums and his tour stops have received critical acclaim, and have showcased country music’s strength and growth outside of the states. Combs continues his historic run at country radio, as he recently earned his record-extending 16th consecutive No. 1 single with his version of Tracy Chapman’s award-winning classic “Fast Car,” amassing more than 750 million global streams to date.

Tyler Hubbard & Kaylee Bell. Photo: Acacia Evans/CMA

Bell was presented with the 2023 CMA Jeff Walker Global Artist Award by country hitmaker Tyler Hubbard. Hubbard surprised Bell with the award during her CMA Awards red carpet interview with the Australian-based Nine Network breakfast show, Today.

The CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist who is originally based internationally and currently signed outside of the United States. The artist must have furthered the popularity of country music as well as brought attention to the country music format in their territory during the eligibility period.

Bell has made waves within country music’s Australian market with her radio success, international tours and major growth in streaming. In May 2023, she made history when her The Red EP received Australian ARIA Gold certification, as she was the first independent female country artist to ever achieve the milestone. In 2022, Bell was the most-streamed country artist based in Australia. She has toured internationally playing C2C Australia, C2C London, CMA Fest and CMC Rocks. Bell has also performed all around New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. as both a headlining act and supporting act for the likes of The Chicks, Morgan Evans, Brad Paisley and Ed Sheeran.

“I’m so stoked that I get to play country music,” said Bell during her interview with Nine Network’s Today. “I love New Zealand, I love Australia and I love that I get to play around those countries and now here in Nashville. I just moved to town, and this is a pretty wild way to just move to town and get one of these. This is amazing.”

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in six categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories. Winners in the four remaining categories will be presented their awards in the coming months.

Brantley Gilbert Slates ‘Off The Rails Tour 2024’ For February

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Brantley Gilbert will kick off his new “Off The Rails Tour 2024” on Feb. 9. He’ll be joined by special guests Dylan Marlowe, Struggle Jennings and Demun Jones on the trek.

The tour will include stops in Scottsdale, Toledo, Saginaw, Fargo and more. Tickets are on sale now, with the exception of the April 11 show in Clarksville, Tennessee. Tickets for that show will be available for presale starting Jan. 16, and available to the general public on Jan. 19. For more information, click here.

“I can’t wait to hit the road and give BG Nation a taste of how we’ve been amping things up for the ‘Off The Rails Tour,'”shares Gilbert. “I’m a big fan of all the guys joining us, so I’m really looking forward to what they’ll bring to the whole show.”

Featured on his latest album So Help Me God (Deluxe Edition), “Rolex On A Redneck” with Jason Aldean has been certified Gold and marks Gilbert’s seventh Gold hit among seven-time Platinum-certified “Bottoms Up,” double-Platinum “Kick It In The Sticks,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” “The Weekend,” “One Hell Of An Amen” and Platinum-certified “What Happens In A Small Town” featuring Lindsay Ell.

The Georgia native recently revisited fan-favorite tracks from So Help Me God (Deluxe Edition), releasing acoustic versions of “Bury Me Upside Down (Live In Studio),” “Tailgates of Heaven (Live In Studio)” and “Behind The Times (Live In Studio).”

Chris Stapleton’s ‘White Horse’ Returns To Top Of MusicRow Radio Chart

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After topping the chart with it in November, Chris Stapleton returns to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “White Horse.”

Co-written by Stapleton and Dan Wilson, “White Horse” appears on his album Higher. Stapleton is currently nominated for three awards at February’s 66th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “White Horse” and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “We Don’t Fight Anymore” with Carly Pearce.

“White Horse” currently sits at No. 9 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.

Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.

Dustin Lynch’s Eighth Annual Hometown Benefit Raises $40K For Local Charities

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Dustin Lynch performs during eighth annual “Dustin Lynch And Friends Benefit Concert.” Photo: Jack Owens

Dustin Lynch held his eighth annual “Dustin Lynch And Friends Benefit Concert” Tuesday night (Dec. 12), and topped past fundraising efforts by raising a total of $40,000 for three local charities.

Dustin Lynch presents a check to Haven of Hope Counseling during eighth annual “Dustin Lynch And Friends Benefit Concert.” Photo: Jack Owens

Hosting the sold-out event at Tullahoma High School in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Lynch performed chart-toppers inspired by his hometown like triple-Platinum “Small Town Boy” and Platinum “Ridin’ Roads.” Lynch also played his new single “Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll).” Songwriters Randy Montana, Brent Anderson and Lanie Gardner joined Lynch as his special guests, with Anderson and Lynch offering up the live debut of “Blue Lights” from his recent sixth studio album, Killed The Cowboy.

The annual event has raised funds for worthwhile causes over the past eight years, and this year’s recipients include Haven of Hope Counseling, South Jackson Performing Arts Center and Special Olympics Tennessee.

Additionally, Lynch will appear alongside television and radio host Cody Alan and CBS anchor Lonnie Quinn to correspond live from New York City’s Times Square as well as perform during New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, airing on Dec. 31.

Stephanie Wright Joins Warner Music Nashville As SVP A&R

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Stephanie Wright. Photo: David Bradley

Warner Music Nashville has tapped Stephanie Wright, who joined the company as a consultant in October, as SVP A&R. She will report to Co-Chair & Co-President Cris Lacy.

“Ben [Kline] and I have known and respected Stephanie for many years – quite often we’ve been on the other side of her at another label, actively battling it out to sign an artist” Lacy shares. “She is a fierce competitor, a tenacious team leader and has an innate sense for exceptional music and artists. Most importantly, she is recognized in the music community as a passionate advocate for developing songwriters, producers and artists, many of whom she helped achieve their first career milestone. Her reputation and long-standing relationships will strengthen our incredible A&R team exponentially.”

Wright joins Warner Music Nashville from UMG Nashville, where she spent more than 23 years in A&R. During her time at UMG, she signed and worked with dozens of hit-making artists, including multi-Platinum chart-toppers Jordan Davis, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum and Grammy-Award winner Kacey Musgraves. A native of Salt Lake City, Wright came to the music business through her cousins—the Platinum-selling sibling trio SHeDAISY. Since then, she has been instrumental in critically acclaimed albums including Lee Ann Womack‘s Call Me Crazy, Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park and Hunt’s Montevallo.

“Joining Warner Music Nashville, in a way, feels like a homecoming,” Wright says. “Over the course of my 23 years in A&R, I’ve known Cris as a friend, passionate label competitor and overall industry leader. Likewise, I’ve known Ben my entire career, starting when we worked together for Mercury Nashville. When the opportunity to join Cris, Ben and the WMN team arose, the decision was easy. The rest of the world is learning how exceptional our artists and songwriters are; something we’ve always known! Country music now touches every corner of the globe, creating new fans and influencing new artists everywhere. Great talent knows no boundary and I’m grateful, and excited, to be in this new home that puts the artist’s story first.”

The news comes after the announcement that EVP A&R Scott Hendricks would be leaving his position at the end of December.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brenda Lee Wears Her ‘Queen Of Christmas’ Crown

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Brenda Lee. Photo: Alexa King Stone

Happy holidays from DISClaimer.

I have your Nashville Christmas playlist right here and ready to go. Do not miss the offerings by Brandy Clark, Randall King, Jon Pardi and Eric Paslay. 

Despite the abundance of quality, there is no question about who the Queen of Christmas is this year. A Disc of the Day award to Brenda Lee for her update on a timeless tune. 

MATT CASTILLO / “Christmas Without Her”
Writers: Matt Castillo/Jason Allen; Producers: Matt Castillo/Aaron Eshuis; Label: MC
– It’s heartache honky-tonk, but with a witty, light-hearted tone. He asks Santa to bring his baby back while the band rampages and twangs behind him. 

JON PARDI / “Beer For Santa”
Writers: John Thomas Hardy/Matt McKinney/Kyle Clark; Producers: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Two-step into Christmas morning with this hillbilly romp. Pardi’s not leaving milk and cookies out for Saint Nick this year. He knows the big guy needs a brew break.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE / “Little Saint Nick”
Writers: Brian Wilson/Mike Love; Producer: none listed; Label: Billy Blue Records
– Ear opening. The bluegrass duo takes The Beach Boys classic out for an acoustic spin with snappy fiddle, mandolin and guitar work, and all those lovely stacked vocal harmonies in place. Highly recommended. 

WYNONNA / “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”
Writer: A.J. Phipps; Producer: Cactus Moser; Label: ANTI- Records
– Originated in 1954 by the Opry’s John Daniel Quartet and popularized by Emmylou Harris in 1980, this acoustic gem has become a perennial country Christmas favorite. Wy’s bluesy lead vocal dominates, and I wish the contrapuntal background vocals were mixed louder. 

RANDALL KING / “Silent Night”
Writers: Franz Xaver Gruber/Joseph Mohr; Producers: Randall King/Jared Conrad; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This magnificent, stone-country baritone can make you feel warm and toasty even on the coldest holiday evenings. Guitars strum and steel sighs as he gently croons this timeless carol. Beautifully done. 

BRANDY CLARK / “My Favorite Christmas”
Writers: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally; Producer: Jordan Hamlin; Label: Warner Records
– Wistful, melancholy and dreamy, this languidly, lovely performance deserves to take its place among the great “blue Christmas” songs that are always so touching. Also check out her equally affecting treatment of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” A soft reminder that the holidays can bring sad, bittersweet nostalgia to some. Clark co-wrote it with her Shucked collaborator Shane McAnally. They both earned a Grammy Award nomination for the Broadway hit.

ERIC PASLAY / “Run Rudolph Run”
Writers: Marvin Lee Brodie/Johnny Marks/Chuck Berry; Producer: Austin Moody; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Need some rock & rolling Christmas cheer? Step right up: Paslay takes this Chuck Berry classic at a bracing, brisk pace. You’ll be bopping around the room in no time. 

BRENDA LEE / “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Remix)”
Writer: Johnny Marks; Producer: Owen Bradley: Label: MCA Nashville
– Thumpy electronic drumming pounds away as Lee and the Nashville A-Team’s original track echoes in the background. This new remix is packaged with her (superior) 1958 rockabilly version on a new holiday EP. This year, the song made the Music City legend the oldest person in history to have a No. 1 Billboard pop hit. Lee’s 79th birthday was on Monday (Dec. 11). What a double celebration. Rock on, Little Miss Dynamite.

CHRIS JANSON / “Holiday Road”
Writer: Lindsey Buckingham; Producers: Chris Janson/Julian Raymond/Scott Borchetta/Jimmy Harnen; Label: BMLG Records
– Christmas music doesn’t get much more rocking than this frenetic bopper. Joyous sounding. 

T. GRAHAM BROWN / “Santa’s Got His Baby Something Good”
Writers: Billy Lawson/Cyril Rawson/Cyril Robinson/Monroe Hill; Producer: none listed; Label: TGB
– How about an old-school blues track for Christmas? Mr. Brown lays down a dandy one with this drawling, down-home, sexy retro ditty. 

BREI CARTER / “Old Fashion Christmas”
Writers: Aly Cutter/David Norris/Corey Lee Barker; Producers: Brei Carter/Jason Wyatt; Label: Brown Lee Entertainment/The Orchard
– Carter’s Twinkling Tales of Christmas album contains this enchanting, minor-key ballad. The key changes are tricky, but she floats through them with ease. Jazzy, late-night, closing-time listening.

UNCLE KRACKER / “Frosty The Snowman”
Writers: Steve Nelson/Jack Rollins; Producer: none listed; Label: UK
– Frosty gets a western-swing arrangement that comes with built-in smiles. Super enjoyable.

SCOTTY McCREERY / “Feel Like The Holidays”
Writers: Frank Rogers/Monty Criswell/Derek George/Bobby Hamrick/Jeremy Bussey; Producers: Frank Rogers/Derek Wells/Aaron Eshuis; Label: Triple Tigers
– I recommend that you start your seasonal playlist with this mellow, jazzy performance. It sets the anticipation mood perfectly. The new Opry inductee delivers it in a friendly, relaxed tone while muted horns punctuate softly in the background.

Illinois PD Dani Holland Receives 2024 Steve Ferguson CRS Scholarship

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Dani Holland

Dani Holland, Program Director for WALS-FM in Peru, Illinois, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Steve Ferguson Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Scholarship.

Holland was chosen by a panel of country radio programmers and other industry professionals and will receive a paid registration to attend CRS 2024, Feb. 28-March 1 in Nashville.

Holland has been with WALS for eight years but began her career at just 15 years old in Kewanee, Illinois, learning production and all things radio. Working her way into a full-time position at WALS, Holland was ultimately tapped for the morning show, where she’s been ever since as the host of WALS Mornings With Dani.

“This will be my first CRS! I was so excited when I got the call that I won the Steve Ferguson Memorial Scholarship this year! I look forward to meeting all the MusicRow promoters that I chat with each week and learning firsthand from other radio talent,” Holland shares.

Spearheaded by Nashville’s GrassRoots Promotion, the annual scholarship was established to honor the enduring legacy of longtime WTHO PD Steve Ferguson, who passed away in 2018. Holland will be honored with a presentation during the CRS 2024 conference, with details to be announced.

Larry Fleet To Kick Off ‘The Earned It Tour’ In February

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Larry Fleet will launch his headlining “The Earned It Tour” in February. Presented by Campers Inn, the trek will feature special guests Austin Williams, Dalton Dover and Everette.

“The Earned It Tour” will kick off in Johnson City, Tennessee in mid-February and continue through the spring with stops in Atlanta, Boston, Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia and more before wrapping in Houston in April. Named after his recently released third studio album, Earned It, the 21-date journey will highlight Fleet’s catalog of blue-collar anthems like Gold-certified “Where I Find God” and “Things I Take For Granted.”

“There’s nothing like being on the road,” explains Fleet. “Connecting with fans each night and hearing them sing along brings my music to life in a way that nothing else can.”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Dec. 15). For more information, click here.

‘Shucked’ To Open North American Tour In Nashville

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Ashley D. Kelley & Grey Henson in Shucked. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally‘s Shucked is coming to Nashville, making its debut at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall Nov. 5 – 10, 2024. The Music City dates will be the start of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy’s North American tour.

Shucked is currently playing on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. It has received limitless praise from critics and theater fans alike, is currently nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Shucked features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score by Grammy and Tony winners Clark and McAnally and direction by three-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien. The musical comedy hilariously focused on corn proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life.

Casting for the North American tour has yet to be announced. Tickets for Shucked in Nashville will go on sale at a later date, but seats can be secured by renewing or purchasing a Broadway at TPAC season ticket package in advance. Visit TPAC.ORG/Shucked for details.

Shucked is produced by Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano/Gary Gersh, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard Smith, Silvia Schmid, Bob Boyett, Jeremiah J. Harris, James L. Nederlander, EST/Emily Tisch, Sony Music Entertainment, DudaAllen, David W. Busch, Karen Fairchild, Horipro Inc., Gordon-Helfner, John Gore Organization, Madison Wells Live, S&Co., Terry Schnuck, Jimi Westbrook and ZKM Media.

The Grammy-nominated album, Shucked – Original Broadway Cast Recording, is available on all streaming platforms and CD. The album is produced by McAnally and Clark alongside Jason Howland and Billy Jay Stein.